The Tree Fruit that the mischievous pandas had been holding was nowhere to be seen.
As the Rogue Pandas left, Natsuhiko didn't follow them but instead slowly stood up from the bushes, gazing intently at the cave.
Key.
It's right inside here.
Let's go take a look!
Natsuhiko quickly made a decision.
His footsteps made no noise on the ground due to his psychic powers.
He slowly entered the cave.
The cave wasn't deep, but the tunnel was large enough to accommodate larger Pokémon.
And as Natsuhiko and his Pokémon cautiously approached the cave's depths.
They faintly heard some noises.
Crunch—crunch—
It was the sound of chewing Tree Fruit.
Although the sound was small, it was clear because of the cave's silence.
And when Natsuhiko and his Pokémon reached the cave's depths, the light wasn't dim.
Because there was an opening at the top of the cave, a bright beam of light was shining in from above.
Behind that beam of light, they could vaguely see a figure cautiously eating Tree Fruit.
The shadow behind the light was outside their field of vision.
So even though Natsuhiko was inside the cave, he still couldn't discern what kind of Pokémon it was.
Yet, the figure could see Natsuhiko and his Pokémon at the cave entrance.
Accompanied by a rustling sound.
When the Pokémon finally appeared in Natsuhiko's line of sight.
He saw...
"Buduo~~"
Covered in thick foliage with only two large, blue eyes visible.
It was completely shrouded in this crude disguise.
"Buduo?" Natsuhiko repeated the creature's call softly, forming a guess in his mind about this secretive Pokémon.
"Bu~duo~~"
Those pure blue eyes swept over Natsuhiko and his Pokémon, finally resting on Monferno.
Along with the flow of pink energy and the diffusion of an aura.
A beam of light shone on Monferno.
"Grr-hee~~"
Feeling the friendly energy's caress, Monferno felt his tense body relax, as the awkwardness he felt disappeared.
He let out a comfortable sigh from the bottom of his heart.
Healing Fluctuation.
Compared to the "Healing Fluctuation" technique from Latios, which Natsuhiko had never trained.
This Pokémon was obviously much more capable, with a proficiency that Latios couldn't compare to.
The rich energy washed away Monferno's weariness from frequent battles.
After that was done.
Those blue eyes turned to Natsuhiko.
They seemed to be waiting for something.
Natsuhiko lowered his gaze, then helplessly smiled.
He understood why the Rogue Pandas had brought Tree Fruit.
Without hesitation, he took out a box of Energy Blocks from his arms and presented it to the creature.
"Buduo?"
Seeing the Energy Blocks, the Pokémon was evidently curious, as if it had never seen them before.
Yet, the aroma of the Energy Blocks made its eyes light up.
After hesitating for a moment.
From beneath its thick plant disguise, it extended a pink arm and cream-colored hand, carefully picking up an Energy Block and moving it to its mouth.
"Buduo!"
Tasting the Energy Block, the blue eyes widened in delight.
In disbelief, it looked at the box of Energy Blocks.
But the excitement from eating something delicious made its actions slightly big.
The poorly assembled plant disguise wasn't sturdy and collapsed by accident.
Revealing the seemingly delicate form underneath.
Audino!
Seeing its form.
Natsuhiko thought to himself, "As expected."
Audino, a gentle Pokémon with a caring nature, liked to help other Pokémon.
However, wild Audinos were very shy and preferred to hide themselves.
So it wrapped itself in plants.
And it probably served as the doctor of this forest.
Helping other Pokémon recover in exchange for food to sustain itself.
However.
When Audino realized its disguise was exposed, it panicked.
"Buduo——!!"
The call wasn't small.
It carried quite a distance.
The wild Pokémon regularly aided by Audino, upon hearing the call, dropped whatever they were doing and headed for the cave.
Natsuhiko, Monferno, and Eevee all rubbed their ears in unison.
Though not the technique "Giant Sound."
This sound was comparable.
Most importantly.
Natsuhiko could already hear the chaotic, but not insignificant noises outside the cave.
The influence and command of a Forest Doctor should not be underestimated.